Ronnie O'Sullivan calls off John Higgins exhibition as Rocket's snooker absence continues
Ronnie O'Sullivan has pulled out of facing old foe John Higgins for the second time this month.
The Rocket was due to take on the Wizard of Wishaw in a hotly anticipated exhibition match in the Finnish capital Helsinki. But that will now be rearranged, with O'Sullivan's team apologising to gutted fans. In a statement they said: "We are really sorry to have to cancel the event in Helsinki this weekend. We will work with the promoters to find a date to reschedule a show when Ronnie is feeling better. We thank all his fans for their understanding."
O'Sullivan withdrew from the Masters just 48 hours before he was set to face Higgins in the opening game, meaning he wouldn't be defending the crown he memorable won at Alexandra Palace last year. He was replaced by Neil Robertson, who produced a stunning comeback from 6-1 down to defeat the Scottish hero.
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Seven time world champion O'Sullivan's last match came in the Championship League against Robert Milkins, but he cutting a frustrated figure during the tournament - even lashing out at the table with his foot, and chucking his cue in the bin. That prompted concerns about his behaviour, with O'Sullivan admitting himself that he "lost the plot." He has since withdrawn from the German Masters, which gets underway on January 27, and could remain out of action until the World Championships in April.
Speaking after withdrawing from the Masters, the Rocket said: "I've obviously been on this three-week trip, away playing, and I just exhausted myself. There was a lot of pressure while I was away and the build-up of all that got too much.
"I lost the plot (at the Championship League) and snapped my cue so that's unplayable, so I just knew at that moment in time, the right decision was not to play. It's such a big tournament I felt whoever was going to come in should at least have a couple of days' notice."
